Ink roll mounting mechanism for printer-slotters



United States Patent 2.138.142 11/1938 Dietrich 2.774.301 12/1956 Worthington." 2.974.636 3/1961 Farrner............

Primary E.raminerWilliam B. Penn Assistant Examiner-E. M. Coven Anorne \'-Howson and Howson [72] lnventors Edward V. Henc BOZ-Netherlngton Drive, Broomall;

ABSTRACT: In apparatus such as a printer-slotter or the like having a plurality of cooperating rolls, roll mounting mechanism for supporting at least one of the rolls between opposed side walls of the apparatus. The roll mounting mechanism comprises a housing mounted on the side wall of the apparatus, a block member mounted for sliding back and forth movement in the housing, at least one chamber in each of the opposed end walls of the block and a piston in each chamber. and passageways in said block communicating with the chambers and adapted to be selectively connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure. Pressurization of one chamber moves the block relative to the housing in one direction to position the roll in an operative position and pressurization of the other chamber moves the block in th 0 0 0 nnxMwwn w nm m m m m Z44 w/ m wa .nm F "l" .1 M mmm WW2 S m m 9 E I u 0 l N m m m% m m I T c u u "5.3" .WA m m m 3 m m m m 5 .m m m mu m G F 0 T mm mm E W S wnm mm mmm i n S m m 16 N & m m 5 U LR Em m m m l RMM G o l m s m PM U I F 4 2 U m M n U B U H e op- 1.338.321 4/1920 Moard.......................... 92/1 17A posite direction to position the roll in a retracted position.

PATENTED me I976 SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTORS PATENTEU DEC29I97U 3; 550,529

' SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTORS EDWARD v. HENC BY EDMUND F. x. DEVLIN ATTYS.

INK ROLL MOUNTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTER- SLO'I'IERS The present invention relates to improvements in printerslotter machines."

In these machines, box blanks are first printed and then scored and/or slotted to permit folding to the fomi of a finished box. These machines usually include at least one, and usually a plurality, of printing units or sections which operate successively upon the blank as it passes through the machine to print or apply the desired indicia markings on the walls of the finished box. The number of printing sections will depend on the variety of colors of the printed matter desired to be applied to the box. In these apparatus the unitary printing mechanisms are arranged serially and in adjacent relation and blank feeding means is provided at one end of the machine to pass blanks through the sections one at a time.

Each printing section usually includes a pair of feed rolls for advancing the box blanks one at a time from the stacking station, a main printing cylinder andcomplementary backing roll and means for transferring ink from a reservoir to the printing cylinder. This ink transfer system usually includes a fountain roll, a ductor roll and a series of transfer rolls which with the ductor and fountain rolls transfers ink from the reservoir to the printing cylinder. More specifically the transfer rolls include a pair of forming rolls in contact with the printing cylinder, an oscillating roll mounted on a fixed axis adapted for oscillating movement and in contact with the periphery of the forming rolls and a distributor roll in contact with the oscillating roll. The forming rolls and distributor roll are usually pivotally mounted in the frame and are conventionally journaled in jack type brackets in the opposed sidewalls of the frame. The forming rolls are thus mounted so that they may be selectively positioned in contact with the printing cylinder or out of contact therewith. for example, when it is desired to replace the printing dies. Similarly the distributor roll through the jack type bracket is adapted for positioning out of engagement with the oscillating rolls. The positioning of the forming rolls and the distributor roll is usually done by an operator by means of a wrench and the arrangement is such that the rolls are set at opposite ends independently. It is noted that for proper operation of the units, it is necessary to set the rolls to provide a given pressure applying relation therebetween and this pressure applying relation between the rolls therefore depends on the skill of the operator. If the rolls are not tight enough. ink transfer is adversely affected and if too tight, the rolls wear and ghost writing results. Additionally it is noted that once a setting is made, it remains fixed.

Several disadvantages and drawbacks are noted in connection with conventional manually adjustable mounting means for the forming rolls and distribution roll. For example, these rolls generally have a resilient blanket covering which during operation of the apparatus normally heat and expand and in I some instance cause an overload of the bearings mounting the various cylinders and rolls in the printing section. Furthermore. excessive pressure buildup between the forming and distributor rolls and the rolls with which they engage during operation results in excessive wear of the resilient blanket. Additionally, the task of releasing the forming rolls and distributing roll, for example, to washup and setup, is time consuming and tedious. Of course, during operation, when the pressure applying relation between the rolls changes due to expansion of the resilient rubber blanket, ink transfer from the source to the printing cylinder varies and in some instances is nonuniform, thereby resulting in ghost printing. The excessive pressure buildup between the forming rolls and printing cylinder also results in undue wear of the printing dies requiring replacement. These are expensive and in addition the printing characteristics are effected by premature wear thereof.

With the foregoing in mind, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improv d mounting mechanism for various rolls of the prihting section such as the forming rolls and distributor roll wherein the pressure applying relationship between the various rolls may be accurately controlled at initial setup and wherein the pressure applying relation remains substantially uniform during operation of the apparatus. Further, the present invention contemplates a single control for a plurality of roll mounting mechanisms thereby facilitating quick and easy movement of the rolls to an inoperative position, for example, during washup, setup and periodic change of the dies on the printing cylinder. Moreover, in accordance with the present invention the ink roll cover life is extended considerably since excessive pressure buildups are avoided. Periodic adjustment of the rolls during operation of the apparatus is eliminated and by maintaining the pressure applying relation between the rolls substantially uniform, overload of the bearings supporting the various rolls is obviated. This, of course extends the life of the bearings considerably and reduces the amount of downtime previously encountered necessitated by failure and replacement of parts such as the bearings. The printing is improved considerably and maintained uniform across the entire face of the printing cylinder, eliminating ghost printing which is undesirable and also insures that the indicia and characters are of uniform density over the entire face of the blank being printed.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction of a printer-slotter incorporating roll mounting mechanism in accordance with the present invention are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a pair of printing sections for a printer-slotter incorporating roll mounting mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

F IG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the control panel;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing the roll mounting and balancing mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of one of the roll mounting and pressure balancing mechanisms of FIG. 5, shown as actuated to the inoperative position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan as viewed from the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 8-8, 9-9, and 10-10 of FIGS. 5,8 and 7 respectively;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary section of FIG. 9 illustrating a detail; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic showing of the supply lines and control panel to the roll mounting mechanism of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a portion of a typical printer-slotter incorporating roll mounting mechanism in accordance with the present invention. Even though the mounting mechanism is illustrated and described in connection with a printer-slotter machiner, it is to be understood that it may be used in other similar applications. The apparatus, generally designated by the numeral 10, includes at the infeed end 12 thereof, a feed table 14 designed to support a stack of box blanks B. In the present instance the support table 14 is formed integrally with a unitary printing section 16. In the drawings two printing sections are shown. However, since the elements and arrangement of each printing section are identical, only one will be described and identical reference numerals applied to the corresponding elements in the printing section 16.

The printing section 16 includes a pair of feed rolls 20 wherein the blanks B are fed one at a time from the infeed end by conventional blank feeding apparatus to the feed rolls 20 which deliver the blank to the nip of a printing cylinder 22 and compression roll 24. The blank B is advanced through the printing section by a pair of pull rolls 26 on the opposite side of the printing cylinder from thefeed rolls 20.

The printing section further includes an ink reservoir 30 at the top of the unit including a fountain roll 32, a ductor roll 34 and a series of rolls 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 with which the ductor and fountain roll, transfer ink from the reservoir to the printing cylinder. More specifically, the transfer roll system includes a first oscillator roll 36 in contact with the ductor roll 34, a second oscillator roll 38, first and second forming rolls 40 and 42 between the oscillator roll 38 and printing cylinder and a distributor roll 44 between the first oscillating roll and the second oscillating roll 38. The fountain roll and oscillator rolls are rotated by suitable drive means and the other rolls of the series are driven frictionally from the driven rolls, Further the oscillator rolls are oscillated axially back and forth by conventional mechanism.

Conventionally, the forming rolls and distributor roll are adjustably mounted in the sidewalls of the main frame and are positionable between an operative position in contact with the rolls with which they cooperate and an inoperative position out of engagement with the cooperating rolls to facilitate washup, setup and other operations. The rolls are usually manually adjustable by means of a jack type mechanism. This arrangement has certain drawbacks in equipment of this type. For example, in order to minimize roll wear, and undue wear on the bearings supporting the adjustable rolls, it is essential that the pressure applying relation between the rolls be accurately set at the start of operations and thus the skill of the operator is an important factor. Even if the rolls are properly set initially, problems can develop during operation since the rolls tend to swell due to heating. This can cause roll wear, bearing failure and hamper proper operation or even jam the oscillating mechanism for the oscillator rolls.

In accordance with the present invention a mounting mechanism is provided for supporting various of the rolls of the transfer system such as the forming rolls and the distributor roll in a manner whereby they may be actuated between operative or extended and inoperative or retracted positions readily and wherein the pressure applying relation between the rolls may be maintained at a predetermined uniform setting during operation of the printing section. To this end, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 11, each of the forming rolls and the distributor roll is journaled at opposite ends in a mounting mechanism in accordance with the present invention. Each of these mounting mechanisms is identical and accordingly the reference numerals for identical parts thereof are the same. Each mounting mechanism broadly designated by the numeral 50, includes an outer shell or housing 52 of generally square configuration having a lug 54 for pivotally mounting the housing to a bracket 56 on the inner face of the sidewall of the main frame. The housing 52 is adapted for adjusting pivotal movement about its pivotal connection by means of an eccentric adjusting member 58 the function of which is described in more detail hereinafter. More specifically the eccentric adjusting member comprises a cylindrical sleeve 58a and a locking screw 58b engaging through an offset opening in the sleeve for securing the sleeve in a given position relative to the frame. The mechanism further includes a sliding block 62 of a shorter length than the interior of the housing 52 and adapted for sliding movement and being retained in the housing on a rod 64. The block 62 is provided in the present instance with two pairsof chambers 66a, 66b and 68a, 68b of generally circular cross section in opposed end faces of the block member 62. The chambers 66a and 680 are axially aligned and separated at their inner ends by a wall portion 69a of the block and the chambers 66b and 68b are likewise axially aligned having their back to back inner end faces separated by the wall portion 69:: of the block. Pistons 70a, 70b and 72a, 72b are mounted for axial movement in the chambers, the pistons having small disclike projections 74a, 74b and 76a, 76b on their inner axial end faces to provide an annular clearance or space when a piston bottoms against the inner axial end wall of its respective chamber. A dust cover 59 overlies the open side of the housing to keep foreign particles from interfering with sliding operation of the block.

A cuplike collar 71 is mounted on one face of the block member 62 by meansof, in the present instance. a headed screw fastener 73, the collar being provided with an enlarged recess 75 in its outer end face within which the one end of the trunnion portion ofa roll is journaled in a bearing 77.

Means is provided for actuating the block member axially on the rod 64 to selectively position the rolls between operative position in engagement with the other rolls of the transfer system with which they cooperate and an inoperative position spaced therefrom. For example, in connection with the distributor roll, the roll is in operative position when its peripheral surface engages the oscillating rolls and its inoperative position is the retracted position out of engagement therewith. To this end a pair of passageways 80 and 82 is provided in the block member 62, the passageway 80 communicating with the piston chambers 66a and 66b and the passageway 82 communicating with the chambers 68a, 68b. Each of these passageways is connected by suitable flexible lines 84 and 86 to a suitable source of high pressure air and as illustrated in FIG. 12, a control system, broadly designated 88. is provided for selectively pressurizing one or the other line. By this arrangement when the line 86 is open to the high pressure air, the piston chambers 68a, 6812 are pressurized whereby the pistons are displaced outwardly, and due to engagement with the sidewall of the housing, the block member is moved to the left with respect to FIG, 9 whereby the rolls are moved to an operative position. It is noted that oval shaped openings 97 and 99 are provided in a sidewall of the housing to preclude engagement of the housing and lines upon actuation of the block. Of course, when it is desired to move the rolls to an inoperative position, such as shown in FIG. 6, line 86 is vented to atmosphere and high pressure air is introduced into the piston chamber 66a and 66b through the line 84 to move the block member to the right with respect to FIG. 9.

The control system for selectively actuating the first and second forming rolls and distributor roll in each printing section simultaneously between operative and inoperative positions, is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12 and includes a solenoid control valve 100 connected through line 102 to a high pressure air source and through line 104 to each of the lines 86 of the roll mounting mechanism and line 106 to the return lines 84 of each of the mechanisms. Operation of the four-way solenoid valve 100 is controlled by means of a conventional start-stop switch 110 of the momentary contact type and a latching relay 112. In FIG. 12, the operating solenoid of valve 100 is shown energized connecting the high pressure line 102 through the valve to the lines 104 and 86 to position the roll mounting mechanisms in an operative position. The rolls may be positioned in a retracted position simply by actuating the switch 110 to interrupt the hold circuit of relay 112 thereby deenergizing solenoid of valve 100 and thus connecting the lines 84 for each mechanism to the high pressure source. The pressure applying relation between the actuatable rolls, that is, the first and second fonning rolls and the distributor roll and the rolls or printing cylinder with which they cooperate may be selectively varied independently of one another and to this end pressure regulators 120, 122 and 124 are provided in the branch lines connecting the line 104 to the line 86 of each of the roll mounting mechanisms. Each of these regulators has an associated gauge a, 122a, and 124a mounted on a control panel P on the outer sidewall of the frame as shown in FIG. 1.

Considering now the operation of a printer-slotter incorporating roll mounting mechanism in accordance with the present invention, at the start of operation the forming rolls and distributor roll are in a retracted or inoperative position. In this position the operator adjusts these rolls relative to the rolls with which they cooperate by means of the eccentric adjusting member 58. For example. if it is desired that the distributor roll 44 be in substantially uniform pressure applying relation with the oscillator rolls 36 and 38, the operator pivots the distributor roll through the eccentric to provide substantially the same clearance between the peripheral surface of the distributor roll and each of the oscillator rolls. in order to accomplish this, the operator may employ a spacer of feeler. After the eccentric sleeve 58a is rotated to the desired setting of the roll, it is fixed by the screw 58b. In some instances it may be desirable to vary the pressure applying relation for ink distribution purposes or for other reasons, for example, to protect the dies of the printing cylinder and thus the operator pivots the rolls through the eccentric to provide a greater clearance initially between, for example, the second forming roll and the periphery of the printing cylinder and a smaller clearance between the second forming roll and the oscillator roll 38. The desired pressure applying relation is also set by the operator by means of the regulators 120, 122 and 124.

After adjusting the rolls in this manner, the rolls are positioned in an operative position by depressing the start switch which through the latching relay energizes the solenoid of valve 100 positioning the valve to provide direct communication from the high pressure source to the lines 86 thereby actuating the block member ofeach roll mounting mechanism to the left with respect to FIG. 9 whereby the distributor roll and the forming rolls are moved into operative pressure applying relation with the rolls with which they cooperate. Simultaneously the actuator means for rotating the drive rolls of the printing section are operated by suitable electrical connection with the main start switch to the motor for the drive system. The printing section is now ready to receive box blanks which are fed thereto from the feed station by conventional feed mechanism.

The system described provides the predetermined uniform pressure applying relation between the forming rolls, distributor roll and the rolls with which they cooperate during operation of the printing section notwithstanding swelling of the rolls during operation and in this manner overload of the bearings is eliminated thereby prolonging bearing and ink roll trunnion life. Furthermore the problem of failure of the oscillator mechanism caused by too much contact pressure is eliminated. Additionally the rolls are automatically withdrawn from contact when the printer-slotter is stopped. It is noted that the rolls can be retracted during operation of the machine if desired. Further, the eccentric adjusting feature permits the rolls to be set to selectively vary the pressure applying relation in the manner noted above and also insures that the direction of travel ofthe roll is along the line of uniform roll contact.

in the event of failure in the air supply system, means is provided for manually positioning the rolls in the operative position. To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11, one end wall of the housing is provided with a pair of tapped openings 140 and 142, adapted to receive elongated threaded screw members 144. These screw members are normally in a retracted position and may be threaded inwardly to engage the pistons and move the block assembly to the left with respect to FIG. 9 thereby positioning the rolls in an operative position.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention. and changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus having opposed sidewalls and a plurality of cooperating rolls, roll mounting mechanism for supporting at least one of the rolls at opposite terminal ends thereof between the opposed sidewalls of the apparatus adapted to position said one roll between an operative position in pressure-applying relation with at least one other roll and in a retracted position, each roll mounting mechanism comprising a housing mounted on the sidewall of the apparatus, a block member having opposing end walls mounted for sliding back and forth movement in said housing, means connecting the block member to one end ofsaid one roll, means for effecting limited reciprocating movement of said block member in said housing to position said one roll between an operative and retracted positions, said last recited means including at least one first chamber in one of the end walls of said block member, at least one second chamber in the opposite end wall of said block member, pistons mounted for floating movement in respective chambers, and passageways in said block member communicating with the inner ends of said chamber and adapted to be selectively connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure whereby pressurization of said first chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in opposite directions in turn to effect movement of said block in one direction in said housing and dispose said one roll in an operative position and whereby pressurization of said second chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in a direction opposite said one direction to move said block member opposite said one direction and dispose said one roll in a retracted position and means permitting access to said chambers for insertion of an operating member for limiting axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers.

2. A roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 including fluid pressure regulating means for selectively adjusting the pressure-applying relation between said one roll and said other roll in the operative position.

3. ln apparatus having opposed sidewalls and a plurality of cooperating rolls, roll mounting mechanism for supporting at least one of the rolls at opposite terminal ends thereof between the opposed sidewalls of the apparatus adapted to position said one roll between an operative position in adjustable pressure-applying relation with at least two other rolls and in a retracted position, each roll mounting mechanism comprising a housing mounted on the sidewall of the apparatus, a block member having opposing end walls mounted for sliding back and forth movement in said housing, means connecting the block member to one end of said one roll, means for effecting limited reciprocating movement of said block member in said housing to position said one roll between an operative and retracted positions, said last recited means including at least one first chamber in one of the end walls of said block member, at least one second chamber in the opposite end wall of said block member, pistons mounted for floating movement in respective chambers, and passageways in said block member communicating with the inner ends of said chambers and adapted to be selectively connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure whereby pressurization of said first chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in opposite directions in turn to effect movement of said block in one direction in said housing and dispose said one roll in an operative position and whereby pressurization of said second chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in a direction opposite said one direction to move said block member opposite said one direction and dispose said one roll in a retracted position, and means permitting access to said chambers for insertion of an operating member for limiting axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers, and means pivotally mounting said housing to the sidewall of the apparatus so that the roll mounting mechanism may be positioned to engage the two other rolls in substantially equal pressure-applying relation when it is actuated to an operative position.

4. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 3 including means for securing said housing in a selected fixed position.

5. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 3 including a control system for selectively pressurizing the chambers thereby providing control means for selectively actuating said one roll between operative and retracted positions.

6. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said control system includes a solenoid control valve.

7. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said control system includes a pressure regulator for controlling the pressure-applying relation of said one roll in the operative position.

8. ln apparatus having opposed sidewalls and a plurality of cooperating rolls, roll mounting mechanism for supporting at least one of the rolls at opposite terminal ends thereof between the opposed sidewalls of the apparatus adapted to position said one roll between an operative position in pressure-applying relation with at least two other rolls and in a retracted position, each roll mounting mechanism comprising a housing mounted on the sidewall of the apparatus, a block member having opposing end walls mounted for sliding back and forth movement in said housing, means connecting the block member to one end of said one roll, means for effecting limited reciprocating movement of said block member in said housing to position said one roll between an operative and retracted positions, said last recited means including at least one first chamber in one of the end walls of said block member, at least one second chamber in the opposite end wall of said block member, pistons mounted in respective chambers, and passageways in said block member communicating with the inner ends of said chambers and adapted to be selectively connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure whereby pressurization of said first chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in opposite directions in turn to effect movement of said block in one direction in said housing'and dispose said one roll in an operative position and whereby pressurization of said second chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in a direction opposite said one direction to move said block member opposite said one direction and dispose said one roll in a retracted position, means pivotally mounting said housing to the sidewall of the apparatus and means for positioning the roll mounting mechanism so that said one roll is in substantially uniform pressure-applying relation with said two other rolls in the operative position.

9. A roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 8 including means for selectively adjusting the pressure-applying relation between said one roll and said two other rolls in the operative position.

10. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 8 including a pair of chambers in each of the opposed end walls of the block and a pair of pistons in each pair of chambers.

11. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said housing is of generally square configuration and includes a rod extending between opposed sidewalls thereof to retain said block member in said housing.

12. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means connecting the block to one end of said roll comprises a cuplike collar having an enlarged recess in its outer end face within which one end of said one roll is journaled.

13. Roll mounting mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein each piston is provided with a disclike projection on its inner axial face to provide an annular clearance when it bottoms in its chamber.

14. In apparatus having opposed sidewalls and a plurality of cooperating rolls. roll mounting mechanism for supporting at least one of the rolls at opposite terminal ends thereof between the opposed sidewalls of the apparatus adapted to position said one roll between an operative position in pressure-applying relation with at least one other roll and in a retracted position, each roll mounting mechanism comprising a housing mounted on the sidewall of the apparatus, a block member having opposing end walls mounted for sliding back and forth movement in said housing, means connecting the block member to one end of said one roll, means for effecting limited reciprocating movement of said block member in said housing to position said one roll between an operative and retracted positions, said last recited means including at least one first chamber in one of the vend walls of said block member, at least one second chamber in the opposite end wall of said block member, pistons mounted in respective chambers, and passageways in said block member communicating with the inner ends of said chambers and adapted to be selectively connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure whereby pressurization of said first chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in opposite directions in turn to effect movement of said block in one directionin said housing and dispose said one roll in an operative position and whereby pressurization of said second chamber effects axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers in a direction opposite said one direction to move said block member opposite said one direction and dispose said one roll in a retracted position and means permitting access to said chambers for insertion of an operating member for limiting axial displacement of said pistons relative to their respective chambers. 

